Pearson 150 sportive returns for 2011

Sutton retailer Pearson Cycles will run the Pearson 150 cyclo-sportive on Sunday May 22 this year after last year’s inaugural edition of the event created to celebrate 150 years of trading.

The event will again be held as a fund-raiser for the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign. The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, Surrey – a centre for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer – has close connections to event organisers Guy and William Pearson as it was the hospital treated their late father’s illness.

Two route options starting and finishing at the Royal Marsden are available. The shorter 75km route loops down towards Horley and back via Reigate and Epsom. The longer 150km ride takes participants all the way down to Brighton and back.

This year, organisers are promising several improvements based on rider feedback from the 2010 event. These include increased entry numbers, better route signage, more marshals at strategic positions, a greater contribution to the Royal Marsden charity and an additional feed station on the longer route.